In 2009, an estimated 49.9 million adults (just over one in five adults) in the United States reported being told by a doctor that they had some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia.Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States , limiting the activities of nearly 19 million adults.

Pennsylvaniareports 31 percent or over 2.95 million Pennsylvania adults were told by a doctor they have arthritis; of this group:

75 percent had pain, swelling, or stiffness around their joints in the past 30 days;

35 percent reported their usual activity was limited due to arthritis; and